39
Safety Measures in Factories
39.1 Introduction
Increasing number of accidents involving workers has drawn our
attention towards safety measures in the factories. Accidents not only
affect workers loosing their livelihood but also employers in terms of
compensation to be paid to the workers. Accidents are a significant
cause of dispute between workers and management. With the coming
in of new set up of industries e.g., steel production, engineering,
fertilizers, chemicals and petro-chemicals, oil refining etc., and increasing
use of machine power, industrial complexities in terms of process of
production have increased. This has given rise to hazards and risks.
Safety measures are to be adopted against such risks and hazards. The
Factories Act, 1948 has laid down certain measures for the safety of
workers employed in the factories. In this lesson, we shall study about
the safety measures in factories.
39.2 Objectives
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
•
explain the need for adopting safety measures in factories;
•
describe the safety measures provided for in the Factories Act;
•
understand the relationship between safety measures and efficiency
of workers.
Safety Measures in Factories ::25
39.3 Need for safety measures
Safety measures result in improving the conditions under which workers
are employed and work. It improves not only their physical efficiency,
but also provides protection to their life and limb. Inadequate provision
of safety measures in factories may lead to increase in the number of
accidents. Human failure due to carelessness, ignorance, inadequate
skill, and improper supervision have also contributed to accidents, and
the consequent need for safety measures. Other factors giving rise to
the need for safety measures are:
—
rapid industrialization with its complexities in manufacturing
process and layout;
—
expansion or modifications in existing factories;
—
setting up of new industries involving hazards not known earlier;
—
lack of safety consciousness on the part of both workers and
management;
—
inadequate realisation of the financial implications of accidents.
Intext Questions 39.1
1.
2.
State which of the following statement are true and which are
false:
(i)
Safety measures only improve physical efficiency of
workers.
(ii)
Inadequate provision of safety measures in factories gives
rise to increase in number of accident.
Fill in the blanks as directed:
(i)
Factors giving rise to the need for safety measures are
______ (mention any two factors)
26 :: Commerce (Business Studies)
(ii)
_____ result in improving the conditions under which
workers are employed and work in factories. (fill in the
gap with appropriate words)
(iii)
Rapid industrialisation with its complexities in
manufacturing process has given rise to __________. (fill
in the gap with appropriate expression).
39.4 Safety Measures
Safety measures which are provided in the Factories Act, 1948, are
considered to be minimum in terms of adequacy. Such measures are
required to be effectively implemented. In addition to implementing
safety measures provided in the Factories Act, there is also need for
providing training in safety to workers, and installing safety equipment
in the factories. Employers should take the initiative in providing training
in safety to employees. Workers’ unions should take interest in safety
promotion. Periodic training courses in accident prevention can be
organised. Safety should become a habit with employers and the workers
alike. The Factories Act provides for the following safety measures:—
(i)
Fencing of Machinery
In every factory, measures should be taken for secured fencing
of machinery. Safeguards of substantial construction must be
raised and constantly maintained and kept in position while the
parts of machinery (they are fencing) are in motion or in use.
Fencing is necessary in respect of:
—
every moving part of a prime mover;
—
headrace and tailrace of every water-wheel and water
turbine;
—
every part of an electric generator, a motor or a rotary
convertor;
—
every part of transmission machinery; and
—
every dangerous part of any other machinery.
Safety Measures in Factories ::27
(ii)
Work on or near Machinery in Motion
Where in any factory, it becomes necessary to examine any part
of machinery, while the machinery is in motion, such examination
shall be carried out only by specially trained adult male workers.
Such workers shall wear tight fitting clothing and their names
shall be recorded in the register prescribed in this connection.
The machinery in motion with which such workers would
otherwise be liable to come in contact during the course of its
examination, shall be securely fenced to prevent such contact.
No woman or young person shall be allowed to clean, lubricate
or adjust any part of a prime mover or transmission machinery,
while the machinery is in motion.
(iii)
Employment of Young Persons on Dangerous Machines
The Factories Act prohibits employment of young persons on
certain types of machines as specified under Sec.23 of the Act.
They can work only after they have been fully instructed as to
the dangers arising in connection with the machines and the
precautions to be observed. They should have received sufficient
training in work at such machines. They should be under adequate
supervision by a person who has a thorough knowledge and
experience of the machines.
(iv)
Striking Gear and Devices for cutting off Power
In every factory —
i)
suitable striking gear or other efficient mechanical
appliances shall be provided and maintained, and used to
move driving belts to and from fast and loose pulleys
which form part of transmission machinery. Such gear or
appliances shall be so constructed, placed and maintained
as to prevent the belt from creeping back on to the fast
pulley.
ii)
driving belts when not in use, shall not be allowed to rest
or ride upon shaft in motion.
In every factory, suitable devices for cutting off power in
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emergencies from running machinery shall be provided and
maintained in every workroom.
(v)
Self-acting Machine
No traversing part of a self-acting machine in any factory, and
no material carried thereon shall, if the space over which it runs,
is a space cover which any person is liable to pass, whether in
the course of his employment or otherwise, be allowed to run on
its outward or inward traverse within a distance of eighteen inches
from any fixed structure which is not a part of the machine.
This is to safeguard the workers from being injured by selfacting machines.
(vi)
Casing of New Machinery
Every set screw, bolt or key on any revolving shaft, spindle,
wheel, or pinion shall be so sunk, encased or otherwise effectively
guarded as to prevent danger in all machinery driven by power
and installed in the factory.
The State government is authorised to make rules specifying
further safeguards to be provided in respect of any dangerous
part of any particular machine or class or description of machines
in this connection.
(vii) Prohibition of Employment of Women and Children near
Cotton openers
No women or child shall be employed in any part of a factory
where pressing a cotton–opener is at work.
(viii) Hoists and Lifts
In every factory—
i)
hoists and lifts shall be of good mechanical construction,
sound material and of adequate strength;
ii)
they shall be properly maintained, and shall be thoroughly
examined by a competent person at least once in every
period of six months. A register shall be kept containing
the prescribed particulars of each such examination;
Safety Measures in Factories ::29
iii)
every hoistway and liftway shall be sufficiently protected
by an enclosure fitted with gates, and the hoist or lift and
every such enclosure shall be so constructed as to prevent
any person or thing from being trapped between any part
of the hoist or lift and any fixed structure or moving part.
iv)
the maximum safe working load shall be plainly marked
on every hoist or lift, and no load greater than such load
shall be carried thereon.
v)
the cage of every hoist or lift used for carrying persons
shall be fitted with a gate on each side from which access
is afforded to a landing.
vi)
every gate shall be fitted with interlocking or other efficient
device to secure that the gate cannot be opened except
when the cage is at the landing and that the cage cannot
be moved unless the gate is closed.
Where in the hoists and lifts used for carrying persons, the cage
is supported by rope or chain, there shall be at least two ropes
or chains separately connected with the cage and balance weight,
and each rope or chain with its attachments shall be capable of
carrying the whole weight of the cage together with its maximum
load.
Efficient devices shall be provided and maintained capable of
supporting the cage together with its maximum load in the event
of breakage of the rope, chain or attachments. An efficient
automatic device shall be provided and maintained to prevent the
cage from overrunning.
(ix)
Lifting Machines, Chains, Ropes and Lifting Tackles
‘Lifting machine’ means any crane, crab, winch, teagle, pulley
block, gin wheel, and runway.
‘Lifting tackle’ means chain slings, rope slings, hooks, shackles
and swivels.
In every factory, following safety measures shall be adopted in
respect of every lifting machine (other than a hoist and lift) and
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every chain, rope and lifting tackle for the purpose of raising or
lowering persons, goods or materials—
a)
All parts including the working gear of every lifting
machine and every chain, rope or lifting tackle shall be
—
of good construction, sound material and adequate strength,
and free from defect;
—
properly maintained ; and
—
thoroughly examined by a competent person at least once
in every period of twelve months.
b)
No lifting machine and no chain, rope, or lifting tackle
shall be loaded beyond the safe working load which shall
be plainly marked on it.
c)
While any person is employed or working on or near the
wheel track of a travelling crane in any place where he
would be liable to be struck by the crane, effective
measures shall be taken to ensure that the crane does not
approach within twenty feet of that place.
A lifting machine or a chain, rope or lifting tackle shall be
thoroughly examined in order to arrive at a reliable conclusion
as to its safety.
(x)
Revolving Machinery
Effective measures shall be taken in every factory to ensure that
the safe working peripheral speed of every revolving vessel, cage,
basket, flywheel, pulley disc or similar appliance driven by power
is not exceeded. A notice indicating the maximum safe working
peripheral speed of every revolving machinery shall be put up in
every room in a factory in which the process of grinding is
carried on.
(xi)
Pressure Plant
If in any factory, any part of the plant or machinery used in a
manufacturing process is operated at a presure above atmospheric
Safety Measures in Factories ::31
pressure, effective measures shall be taken to ensure that the
safe working pressure of such part is not exceeded.
(xii) Floors, Stairs, and Means of Access
In every factory—
a)
all floors, steps, stairs and passages shall be of sound
construction and properly maintained, and where it is
necessary to ensure safety, steps, stairs, and passages shall
be provided with substantial hand rails;
b)
there shall, so far as is reasonably practicable, be provided,
and maintained safe means of access to every place at
which any person is at any time required to work.
(xiii) Pits, Sumps, openings in floor etc. which may be a source
of danger, shall be either securely covered or securely fenced.
Securely fencing a pit means covering or fencing it in such a
way that it ceases to be a source of danger.
(xiv) Excessive Weights
No person shall be employed in any factory to lift, carry or
move any load so heavy as to be likely to cause him an injury.
(xv) Protection of Eyes
If the manufacturing process carried on in any factory is such
that it involves (a) risk of injury to the eyes from particles
thrown off in the course of the process or (b) risk to the eyes
by reason of exposure to excessive lights, effective screens or
suitable goggles shall be provided for the protection of persons
employed on, or in the immediate nearness of, the process.
(xvi) Precautions against Dangerous Fumes and use of Portable
Light
i)
No person shall enter any chamber, tank, vat, pit, pipe or
other confined space in a factory in which dangerous fumes
are likely to be present to such an extent as to cause risk
of persons being overcome thereby;
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ii)
No portable electric light of voltage exceeding twenty four
volts shall be permitted in any factory for use inside any
confined space. Where the fumes present are likely to be
inflammable no lamp or light, other than of flame–proof
nature, shall be allowed to be used.
iii)
No person in any factory shall be allowed to enter any
confined space, until all practicable measures have been
taken to reverse any fumes which may be present and to
prevent any ingress of fumes.
iv)
Suitable breathing apparatus, reviving apparatus and belts
and ropes shall be kept in every factory for instant use.
All such apparatus shall be periodically examined and
certified by a competent person to be fit for use.
v)
No person shall be permitted to enter in any factory, any
boiler, furnace, chamber, tank, pipe, or other confined space
for the purpose of working or making any examination
until it has been sufficiently cooled by ventilation or
otherwise to be safe for persons to enter.
(xvii) Explosive or Inflammable Dust, Gas etc.
If any manufacturing process in the factory produces dust, gas,
fume, or vapour of such a nature as is likely to explode on
ignition, measures shall be taken to prevent any such explosion
by:
—
effective enclosure of the plant or machinery used in the
process;
—
removal or prevention of the accumulation of such dust,
gas, fume or vapour;
—
exclusion or effective enclosure of all possible source of
ignition.
Measures shall also be adopted to restrict the spread and effects
of the explosion by providing in the plant or machinery of chokes,
baffles, vents, or other effective appliances.
Safety Measures in Factories ::33
(xviii) Precautions in case of fire
i)
Every factory shall be provided with such means of escape
in case of fire as may be prescribed;
ii)
In every factory, the doors affording exit from any room
shall not be locked so that they can not be easily and
immediately opened from the inside while any person is
within the room, and all such doors, unless they are of
sliding type, shall be constructed to open outwards.
iii)
Every door, window or other exit affording a means to
escape in case of fire shall be distinctively marked in a
language understood by the majority of the workers. Such
marking should be in red letters of adequate size or by
some other effective and clearly understood sign.
iv)
An effective and clearly audible means of giving warning,
in case of fire, to every person shall be provided in the
factory.
v)
A free passage–way giving access to each means of escape
in case of fire shall be maintained for the use of all workers
in the factory.
vi)
Effective measures shall be taken to ensure that in every
factory all workers are familiar with the means of escape
in case of fire and have been adequately trained in the
routine to be followed in such a case.
(xix) Safety of Building and Machinery
In case it appears that any building, machinery or plant in a
factory is in such a condition that it is dangerous to human life
or safety, the manager of the factory may be served an order
specifying measures to be adopted as prescribed. Further, in case
it appears that the use of any building, machinery or plant in a
factory involves imminent danger to human life or safety, an
order may be served prohibiting the use of such building or
machinery, until it has been repaired or altered.
34 :: Commerce (Business Studies)
Intext Question 39.2
1.
Tick the appropriate expression:
Fencing provision applies to
(i)
every moving part of a prime mover
(ii)
headrace and tailrace of every water wheel, and water
turbine
(iii)
every part of an electric generator
(iv)
every part of transmission machinery, and
(v)
every dangerous part of any other machinery
(vi)
all the above
(vii) (iv) and (v) above
(viii) none of the above
2.
Fill in the blanks with suitable words:
(i)
The Factories Act prohibits employment of _________
on certain types of machines under Sec. 23.
(ii)
The Factories Act prohibits employment of ________ to
lift carry or move any load so heavy as to be likely to
cause an injury to them.
(iii)
Measures to escape from fire shall be provided in every
________ .
Safety measures and efficiency of workers
There is a close relationship between safety measures and the efficiency
of workers. Efficiency results in increasing the average output per
worker. It is reflected in increased productivity. Safety measures are
concerned not only with the physical efficiency, and safety of the
workers, but also his general well being. Being related with welfare,
Safety Measures in Factories ::35
lack of safety exposes workers to health hazards. It also involves
occupational health risks.
Indian workers are generally considered to be less efficient as compared
to workers in other countries. Such a statement does not reflect any
inherent deficiency on the part of workers. It is stated to be due to
longer hours of work, low wages, and poor living conditions. Health
and safety measures provided in factories are also of poor standard.
This may be stated as the basic reason for the inefficiency of workers
in India. Climatic factors, illiteracy, low standard of living may also
affect the efficiency adversely, but the poor working conditions happen
to be the main reasons. Working environment in the factory is not
conducive to increased efficiency of worker. Under unhealthy
surroundings, we cannot expect workers to put in hard and sustained
work. Safety measures as listed above partly prevent workers from
being exposed to the risk of accidents, and protection against dust and
fumes and inflammable gases, etc. These are partly welfare in nature
e.g., preventing employment of young persons on dangerous machines.
Other safety measures reduce the strain from working under difficult
conditions.
Intext Question 39.3
1.
2.
State whether the following statements are true or false.
(i)
There is a close relationship between safety measures,
and the efficiency of workers.
(ii)
Safety measures are concerned only with the physical
efficiency of workers.
(iii)
Lack of safety measures leads to occupational health risk
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words:
(i)
Indian workers are generally considered to be __________
efficient as compared to workers in other countries.
(ii)
Inefficiency of Indian workers are due to _______
(mention reasons only in points).
(iii)
Under _______ we cannot expect workers to put in hard
and sustained work.
36 :: Commerce (Business Studies)
39.5 What you have learnt
There is a close relationship between safety measures and
efficiency of workers.
—
Increase in number of accidents and declining efficiency
has led to adoption of safety measures in factories.
—
The Factories Act, 1948 has laid down certain measures
to be adopted for the safety of workers employed in
factories.
—
The safety measures result in increasing the efficiency of
workers. It results in increasing the productivity. It improves
not only workers’ physical efficiency, but provide for
protection against risks of injury and ill-health.
—
Safety measures in factories include provision for fencing
and prohibition of work on or over the machinery in
motion; provision of striking gear and devices for cutting
off power; casing of new machinery; hoist and lifts;
protection of eyes; precaution against dangerous fumes;
explosions and inflammable dust and gas, fire, and
provision of safety of buildings and machinery.
39.6 Terminal Exercise
1.
Describe, in brief, factors responsible for safety measures
in the factories.
2.
Mention safety measures as provided in the factories Act.
Explain any two of the measures in detail.
3.
Do you find any relationship between safety measures and
the efficiency of workers? Explain.
4.
Write short notes on
a)
Safety measures relating to protection of eyes;
b)
Precautions against dangerous fumes;
Safety Measures in Factories ::37
c)
precautions against fire; and
d)
Safety of building and machinery.
39.7 Answer to Intext Questions
39.1 1.
2.
39.2 1.
2.
39.3 1.
2.
(i)
F
(ii)
T
(i)
Mention factors e.g., rapid industrialisation,
inadequate provision of safety measures.
(ii)
Safety measures.
(iii)
The need for safety measures.
(vi)
All the above
(i)
Young person
(ii)
Person
(iii)
Factory
(i)
T
(ii)
F
(iii)
T
(i)
Less
(ii)
Mention points – climatic factors, illitracy, low
standard of living and poor working conditions.
(iii)
Unhealthy surrounding.